In order to successfully control and eliminate vaccine-preventable infectious diseases, an appropriate vaccine coverage has to be achieved and maintained. This task requires a high level of effort as it may be compromised by a number of barriers. Public health agencies have issued specific recommendations to address these barriers and therefore improve immunization programs. In the present revi...

BACKGROUND This paper uses a straightforward method of quantifying the benefits and risks of immunization, illustrated by universal immunization programs in British Columbia against invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b disease (Hib), measles, rubella, and paralytic poliomyelitis. METHODS Data were extracted from provincial communicable disease and vaccine adverse event surveillance systems....

Since routine meningococcal C conjugate vaccination was introduced into Canada in 2002, there have been a large regional variation in the routine programs, changes to the timing of the infant series in some provinces, and wide differences in catch-up programs. As immunization is viewed as a provincial responsibility, less attention has been paid to determining national coverage rates and the di...

BACKGROUND Seasonal influenza immunization programs vary widely across jurisdictions. In Canada, some provinces offer universal programs while others target specific population groups. However, whether targeted or universal programs provide more benefit and value-for-money is unclear. The cost-effectiveness of influenza immunization programs was systematically reviewed to inform policy. METHO...

In populations without immunization, pertussis is a high-incidence, endemic disease with cyclic epidemic peaks occurring every 2-5 years. The universal use of pertussis vaccines in children results in a marked reduction in incidence, but the frequency of disease cycles does not lengthen. This indicates that the organism (Bordetella pertussis) remains prevalent in the population. Studies of prol...

BACKGROUND The World Health Organization and the United Nations Children's Fund promote integration of maternal and child health (MCH) and immunization services as a strategy to strengthen immunization programs. We updated our previous review of integrated programs and reviewed reports of integration of MCH services with immunization programs at the service delivery level. METHODS Published a...

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice (ACIP) of Thailand, established nearly 40 years ago and currently consisting of 28 experts in immunization and related fields, develops written recommendations to the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) regarding vaccines and immunization. Through careful review of available scientific data, compiled and analyzed by Working Groups set up to examine s...

This study demonstrates how community-based immunization promotion reduced immunization disparities. In 2002 to 2004, the coalition enrolled 3,748 children younger than 5, with 1,502 aged 19 to 35 months in April 2004. Disparity reduction was assessed by comparing coalition immunization coverage rates (4:3:1:3:3) to the National Immunization Survey 2003 rates. Logistic regression was used to as...

Vaccination is one of the most effective and cost-benefit interventions that reduced the mortality. Major vaccine preventable diseases have decreased dramatically after the introduction of immunization program in Korea. In this article, we review milestones in history of immunization program, especially in adult vaccination.